If you are beginning a recovery program, or are helping a friend find the right recovery program, one of the decisions you will have to make is whether to select an outpatient or an inpatient treatment center. Both treatment options are effective when properly followed and adhered to, but one may be better for your loved one over the other. Here are a few of the ways to tell which is the better option for you or a loved one. http://www.my12stepstore.com/product2560.html Continue reading
Is Halloween one of your favorite holidays? Do you dread the scary day because so many Halloween events feature drinking as one of the major activities? If so, don’t worry. It’s possible to have a sober Halloween and participate in the festivities without tempting yourself to drink. Here are several ways to celebrate a sober Halloween while in recovery. Continue reading
If you are looking to lead a sober life, you may have read the Alcoholics Anonymous book and may be looking to follow everything in the book. One of the questions that frequently comes up is whether you must have an AA sponsor. This is not specifically addressed in the book. Here is some more information about this. The AA program like other 12-step programs do not require you have a sponsor. However, many people do because they have found it to be a great support, especially in early recovery. Continue reading
Getting clean and sober is among the most rewarding things that can occur in the life of someone who is struggling with addiction. There are two main organizations that exist to serve and support people who are on a path toward recovery. Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, is a program focused on assisting alcoholics, while Narcotics Anonymous, or NA, is focused on assisting those who struggle with drug addiction. Often, people have issues with both drugs and alcohol, and are unsure which program would be best for their needs. The team at my12stepstore.com would like to share some information about the differences between these programs, in the hopes of making that decision a little bit clearer. Continue reading
Addiction can be devastating, not only for the addict but also for those who care for someone who is struggling. In fact, there are many situations where the caregivers or loved ones suffer as much or more than the person who has the addiction. Many people feel hopeless when confronted with a loved one’s addiction, and are frustrated that their intentions and actions seem to have little effect. It is important for friends and family to know that there are resources available to assist them through this difficult experience. One of the most powerful resources is Al-Anon. The team at my12stepstore.com would like to highlight the benefits of this organization, in the hopes of helping families to move through this period of their lives more easily. http://www.my12stepstore.com/product2690.html
When many people think about Alcoholics Anonymous, they picture the chips used to signify important milestones in sobriety. These chips have become widely recognized as symbols of AA, even though many people are unaware of the history and significance of their use. At my12stepstore.com, we enjoy sharing information and resources with our community and are proud to offer the following overview of how and why chips became such a big part of the AA experience. As other 12- step groups have started so has the significance of celebrating recovery time. Continue reading
National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life. http://www.my12stepstore.com/What-Addicts-Know.html http://www.my12stepstore.com/Alcoholics-Anonymous-Voices-of-Long-Term-Sobriety-Book.html
Everyone who has struggled with addiction knows how hard it can be to get through a holiday. Christmas and Thanksgiving offer their own unique challenges, but the “lesser” holidays can also be difficult to weather. The good news is that with the right mix of motivation and effort, it is possible to enjoy holiday celebrations while also supporting your sobriety. The following tips are offered on behalf of My12StepStore.com in the hopes of making the upcoming Labor Day an excellent experience and something to truly look forward to. Continue reading
Forgiveness plays a significant role in conquering addiction, whether it is forgiveness of yourself or forgiving others. These can be difficult hurdles to clear, especially when addiction has played a significant role in your life for a long period of time. The team at My12StepStore.com would like to offer the following tips on how to attain forgiveness and move beyond feelings of shame, remorse and resentment. Here’s also a terrific book to read http://www.my12stepstore.com/product2600.html Continue reading
Crystal meth (meth) is the common name for crystal methamphetamine, a strong and highly addictive drug that affects the central nervous system. Has many street names, Tina, ice, glass… it’s a popular party drug. Usually, users smoke crystal meth with a small glass pipe, but they may also swallow it, snort it, or inject it into a vein. People say they have a quick rush of euphoria shortly after using it. But it’s highly dangerous. http://www.my12stepstore.com/Crystal-Meth-Anonymous-Crystal-Clear-CMA.html
The powerful rush people get from using meth causes many to get hooked right from the start. When it’s used, a chemical called dopamine floods the parts of the brain that regulate feelings of pleasure. Users also feel confident and energetic. A user can become addicted quickly and soon finds he or she will do anything to have the rush again. As one continues to use the drug, you build up a tolerance. That means a need for higher doses to get the same high. The higher the dose, the higher the risks. http://www.my12stepstore.com/Nartcotics-Anonymous-Living-Clean-Book.html
Writer and columnist of The Share, Paulo Murillo, asked a few clean and sober folks with various lengths of clean time to share about their experiences with crystal meth. They agreed to share in hopes it helps someone. http://www.my12stepstore.com/product2560.html
ULTIMATE FREEDOM Crystal meth became my everything quickly. I put the drug in front of my family and everything I loved about myself went completely by the wayside. I just lived to use.
The scariest part about crystal for me were the audio and visual hallucinations. That is the main reason I stopped using. The drug is all consuming and the consequences were homelessness, insanity, psychosis and hospitalization. You are depriving your body of all the basic needs—sleep, food, water, and eventually you end up psychotic. Crystal is a liar. It tells you are going to connect with people, sexually, intimately, or otherwise, but the exact opposite happens. It was very isolating and any sexual connection was completely devoid of intimacy.
Being clean is the ultimate freedom. Crystal does not run my life anymore. I get to actually be there for others, the isolation is over and peace of mind has returned.” —Mike Bealor, clean & sober since November 7, 2013. http://www.my12stepstore.com/Quitting-Meth-Workbook.html
SENSE OF SELF I did meth, but I mostly abused Adderall, which is a legalized form of meth. I did it to stay up all night and to seemingly have fun, but it got to a point where I wouldn’t know where I was, or how I got there. I would lose all sense of self. It made me paranoid, anxious and angry. I don’t recommend people doing crystal meth because of how it affects you physically. It’s very bad for your health, especially for people who like to go to the gym and invest time on their bodies. http://www.my12stepstore.com/Abused-Boys-Wounded-Men-Workbook.html
Today, I can have fun sober and still be a part of. I love that I can wake up the next day and remember what happened the night before. I can get to work and not walk around wondering what happened to my clothes. You don’t have to do drugs to party. Saying no is an option and that is an option that I take every day.” —Armando Melendez, clean & sober since July 4, 2014. http://www.my12stepstore.com/product2388.html
http://www.my12stepstore.com/Gay-Men-And-Substance-Abuse-Alcoholics-Anonymous-Narcotics-Anonymous.html OFF THE STREETS I was 21 when I first did crystal. I met a cute guy that I really liked. I was only going to do it one time, but that one time turned into almost 20 years of addiction. http://www.my12stepstore.com/Answers-In-The-Heart.html
It was kind of fun in the beginning because I was able to stay up all night, but in the end, that stopped working. I’d be tired, depressed and paranoid. I thought people were trying to kill me. A couple of times, I wanted to jump out of windows. I called the ambulance on myself because I thought I was dying numerous times. I also thought my family had turned against me. I was making bad decisions. None of it was good. I felt alone. http://www.my12stepstore.com/Heroin-2nd-Edition.html
Today, I feel like I’m one of the lucky ones, because there are plenty of people who don’t get to recover from their addiction to meth. I’m close to my family, I’m off the streets, and I have a job that allows me to pay my bills. Things are starting to interest me again. I have a lot of people on my side. I’m grateful for my life today. I no longer feel alone.” —Brandon Dehart, clean & sober since August 26, 2016.
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